SUSPECTED DROWNING CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 7

SUSPECTED DROWNING CASE.

(per press association.) Lyttelton, March 24. The Maggie whaleboat, belonging to Fitzsitnmonn Bros., was taken out early on Sunday morning by two yonug fellows named John Carter and William Thompson, who intended to go fishing toward the Heads, and return in the evening. Thompson had a dog with him, which returned this mom. ing with his feet badly scratched, as if by walking over sharp rocks. This fact and the storm of Sunday night caused alarm, and : a tug went down the harbour this afternoon to search for the missing boat.. She went outside and round to Sumner, but could find no trace of it or the crew. Two other fishing boats were found taking shelter under the leei. of the - high cliffis of Port Cooper, and were taken in tow by the tug. Mr E. Pleasant, who: was in one boat, reports passing the-.. Maggie on Sunday night, near Ripa Island. Heavy squalls came on, and just afterward , the Maggie passed Pleasant’s boat again with the sails up. One of two men on the Maggie called out “ Are you all right,’* and Pleasant replied he had anchored. He thought the Maggie was anchoring, but he saw no more of her and got no reply when he called out. The .gale then increased in fury and carried away all Pleasant’s gear.’ There is little doubt that Carter and Thompson were drowned. Carter is the eldest son of Thomas Carter, signalman at the Heads. Thompson; is also a well'known resident, and both yonng men were highly respected in Lyttelton. Christchurch, March 25. This morning a ; man named Stephen Adams gave information to. .the police at Christchurch that while fishing at Taylor’s Mistake yesterday-morning he observed a boat with two or three occupants. The sea was very rough, and when he looked again shortly after he could see nothing of the boat. He does not think it likely it could have gone ont of the bay. Certainly the boat had not made shore. When the tng came about 3 pm she found no trace of the boat, which is supposed to bo the one missing from Lyttelton.